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13th Authentic Jackie Gleason SP I have ever seen. The others are all shown here.

Hi All,

I have finally located an obviously authentic signed photograph of Jackie Gleason. He is so very rare. Incredibly underrated. Signed vintage cuts are the norm; signed photographs, in any role or straight portrait, are just not around. The last I saw was a 1962 Ektachrome 16x20 color signed mounted photo - and I sold it. This is C. 1950. Only authentic signed photo I've seen between 1945 and 1962.

Enjoy!

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on February 25, 2022 at 3:58pm

This Gleason SP arrived - it's wonderful! A few creases and handling wear but nothing considering what it is - the only authentic 1950's SP I've ever seen. I've seen certified cuts (real ones) bring uo to $550-$700 or so. The SP's I have seen sell are usually pre 1945 - there are a lot of those in comparison - and those can be $1500. There is nothing to compare this with - so far. Proper scans coming tomorrow. Alice and Norton vintage SP's as well as unpublished rehearsal photographs from 1953.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on February 25, 2022 at 8:36pm

Here is a new scan I made of the signature compared with known exemplars from the late 40's to mid 50's. A single line signature is unusual. I've seen only a handful mostly on the pre 1945 SP's, early letters, contracts and his 1936 tax return etc. Even when he had room, such as the large color photo from 1962 I sold, he used the double line signature most often by far. The early candid slabbed by BAS is a single line and connected. I've seen that only once before on an album page - connected with quite a flourish and very pretty.

The new image is on the far right. Conclusion is authentic. Click for much larger image:

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on February 28, 2022 at 9:18pm

I wanted to point out that this, the first obviously authentiC SP we have seen (apart from occasional pre-1945 Hollywood portrait) follows the "secretarial dash" observation I wrote about so long ago, as do the pre-1945 examples. I have yet to see even a page that is authenticaly signed "My Best wishes -". That is nearly a constant in the post 1970 "Gleasons" that account for the vast majority of those in existence. These are commonly seen on "bus photos" and were signed by Sydell Spear (Sammy's sister), Gleason's PA from about 1970 to his death in 1987. The without the dash are almost certainly forgeries of the Spear secretarial. Even a personal letter, sent to the Royal Association for the Longevity and Preservation of the Honeymooners" (R.A.L.P.H.) gifting the club with a genuine 1950's bus driver uniform he wore, was signed by Sydell Spear.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on March 19, 2022 at 9:52pm

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on September 11, 2023 at 11:09am

Here is one to add - but is has been severely damaged by an attempted dedication removal. Worth less than $350 easily. BTW, I just saw someone selling 4 cuts, 3 modern for close to $3000!

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on September 11, 2023 at 11:11am

PS - It was dedicated and inscribed "To Joe", but not anymore.

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Permalink Reply by Eddy on September 11, 2023 at 11:45am

Hard to justify even close to that kind of price!

It does bring up an interesting question of what a description of "vintage" really means with a set like that.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on September 11, 2023 at 11:56am

The rule I hear is 20 years = vintage. Dealer X offers a 1992 or 94 Ringo, listed as "vintage", and all is well. Another seller lists something from 14 years before that and is called out for misrepresentation. While I am loathe to admit it, the 1990s are vintage even though I was "vintage" myself at the time! Below is vintage - 8.15.96. Thom is 55 or so now.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on September 11, 2023 at 12:01pm

There is no justification for that price. Even if all photographs it still would be a very uphill argument. A 1950's signed Joyce Randolph anything is much harder to find than a Gleason vintage SPand still that price is not realistic. Carney and Randolph - Carney is easier in vintage but they are not $800 each! However, it is said people can ask anything, and they can. At least the Gleason is genuine - this time.